Ever come across a USB drive that’s been in your desk drawer for months or years?
Well, don’t get rid of it just yet because there are many ways to give that old thumb drive a new lease on life and make your desk look neater while doing it.
So, if you were wondering what to do with old USB drives, we have some cool and creative ideas right here.
There was a time when a USB drive was more of a necessity than anything else.
The device was easy to use, portable, and didn’t take up much space.
This is where people stored important, or sensitive, information and shared it when needed.
But today, with cloud storage services like Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, and Box becoming so popular among consumers, a USB drive is no longer as important.
They’re mostly exiled with the old and forgotten items in a junk drawer somewhere, collecting dust.
Here are 10 ways you can breathe new life into a forgotten USB drive and make it useful to yourself or someone else.
Table of Contents
What to do with old USB drives: 10 practical ideas
1. Use it to scan for viruses
According to Malwarebytes, cyber security threats are everywhere and plague even the largest organizations in the world.
Cyber threats have increased in number, especially since the rise of the internet and the increased use of public computers and networks.
That’s why we need to be more vigilant when using our devices.
Take your old USB drive with you wherever you go, load it up with antivirus software, and scan for viruses that are available for download on the internet.
Hackers like to target older machines with outdated software so updating them is a must.
Also, having antivirus installed on your thumb drive will help you to be able to scan from any computer without having to worry about transferring the files onto your PC.
This way, you can safely remove the malicious software without compromising the contents of your computer.
2. Create a personal computer unlock key
Identity fraud is on the rise and can cost you big time.
Cifas data indicates a staggering increase in identity fraud over five years.
And it’s even worse now that more people are heavily reliant on online services for work, shopping, banking, and even entertainment.
In 2019, Google conducted a research poll together with HarrisPoll that showed many Americans have trouble keeping track of passwords.
With this in mind, it could be a good idea to put some security around your old USB drive by using it as an alternative to a password, which is risky.
Protect yourself by transforming your USB drive into an unlock key.
You won’t have to stack up a myriad of passwords or reuse them one too many times.
Instead, you’ll be storing your security information on a device that is well looked after and can only be accessed by you.
That said, take good care of the flash drive so that it’s not damaged or lost.
It’s your access key to the computer.
You will for sure need it to unlock your device and get access.
3. Portable Chrome Profile
Nowadays, PCs are more personalized than ever with users being able to create browser profiles, install extensions or plugins, save favorites, create accounts for various services, and style their desktop.
And it’s all thanks to Google Chrome.
The great thing about Chrome is that you can take your bookmarks, extensions, and settings with you wherever you go.
This is made possible by the Portable Chrome Profiles which users can load onto a USB drive and run from any computer.
With an old thumb drive, you can customize your Chrome profile to your liking, making it extremely easy for you to access your favorite websites and applications on any computer no matter where you are.
4. Create a recovery drive
Unexpectedly, you get the PC one day ready to start working but the operating system just won’t budge.
It refuses to load any apps and it’s completely unresponsive.
What’s worse, without a functioning OS it’s impossible to get things working again.
Unless, of course, you have a backup of the OS and files on another device.
This is when a recovery drive comes into play.
USB drives make it easy for users to store data outside their computer’s hard drive.
For those who are new to this term, a recovery drive is a bootable tool that runs from a USB or CD/DVD and can be used to scan, repair or reinstall the OS.
If you were smart enough to create a backup recovery drive using an old thumb drive, then you can always restore the backup on the computer and get back to work.
5. Mass storage device
Cloud storage has completely changed the landscape of data storage.
With services like Dropbox and OneDrive, consumers don’t need to worry about running out of space to store their important files.
However, a survey from Centrify shows that users’ reliance on cloud storage services is not completely secure.
That’s why it’s important to have a backup copy of your most valued data on what we call a mass storage device.
In this case, you’ll use a configuration referred to as RAID that involves pairing multiple thumb drives to create one large drive.
Large files will be split across your drives, making it easier to access and copy the files when needed.
If you have old USB drives with a capacity of at least 16GB that you can use to store your data, it’s best used for this purpose.
6. Portable programs or applications
Some people are constantly on the road for work or travel, while others rely on the internet to do their job.
No matter which category you fall into, having your portable applications can come in handy and help you get things done on the go.
Even if you’re not in a professional setting, having your favorite programs right at hand can be extremely helpful.
This is where a portable version of your favorite apps can be really useful.
With a portable program, you don’t need to waste time installing and uninstalling applications on a new computer.
All you have to do is create a copy from your computer on an old USB stick and take it with you wherever you go.
7. Store travel documents
The truth is almost everyone loves traveling whether it’s for vacation or work.
Unfortunately, when on the road you might lose your important travel documents like passports, tickets, and visas.
This will quickly become a problem if you don’t have a backup of your travel documents in case of an emergency.
If you’re looking to ensure that you can always access all important documents when you’re on the go, then it’s best to make a copy and store it on a flash drive.
This way, you’ll be able to access your information from any computer no matter where you are in the world as long as there’s an internet connection.
8. Sell it
While we agree that nowadays flash drives are barely used for their original purpose, that doesn’t mean they’re completely outdated.
You can still make some extra cash if you have an unused one lying around.
As long as it’s still in working condition, you can sell it to someone else.
If you have an old USB drive sitting in your drawer and don’t have any plans to use it, then now’s the time to get rid of it.
You can either give it away as a gift or sell your old USB drive on eBay or at a local flea market.
With that being said, ensure there is no personal information on your drive before selling it.
You don’t want someone stealing your identity or other personal information.
Identity theft and credit card fraud is a serious problem and it’s best to be safe rather than sorry.
Some tools help you wipe off your offline data, so be sure to use them.
9. Donate it
If you’re one of the many tech enthusiasts, then you’ve probably owned a few old USB drives over the years.
This makes a good reason to clean out your computer and remove any old documents that are no longer needed to make space for new ones.
What can you do with all these extra USB drives?
Consider donating them to a local charity so that they can be used by those who need them.
You might not need them anymore, but you’re doing a great thing by letting them go to someone who may need them more than you.
By donating your old USB drive, you could make a difference in someone’s life.
Some charities use these devices for storage while others give them away to low-income families so that they can store their documents and photos.
So, next time you plan on getting rid of an old USB drive, make sure you simply don’t throw it away!
10. Recycle it
The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) states that there are about 50 million old smartphones, computers, and other electronic devices lying around in homes and landfills across the globe.
Unfortunately, only about 20% of these end up in a recycling plant to be turned into new raw materials.
The rest end up in landfills where they produce harmful gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and chlorofluorocarbons.
E-waste is especially harmful because it uses toxic substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium to build circuits.
Since you’ve already decided to get rid of your USB drives, why not do it sustainably?
Recycling old USB drives allows you to reduce the amount of waste going into landfills.
You can also feel good knowing that you’re helping save the environment.
Find a recycling center near you and bring your USB drive to them.
You can also drop it off at your local electronics store for free recycling as long as you have proof of purchase.
Final Thoughts
While we understand that some of you might still have your old flash drives, we’ve shared with you our best tips on how you can use them for different purposes.
Your old USB drive is way more than just a storage device; it’s an investment that can help you get things done right at your fingertips wherever you are.
With a little bit of imagination, it can come in handy and help get things done faster and easier.
So, don’t let your USB drive waste away! Instead, use it to its best potential.
FAQs
How do you dispose of old flash drives?
You can dispose of your old flash drives in any of the following ways;
- Recycle: If you have the correct hardware, your old flash drives can be recycled. You can visit any cellphone or electronics store to drop it off for free recycling. You will also be able to find a recycling center near you by visiting the internet and searching for “recycle shop near me.”
- Or simply donate it! A lot of them will either ask you to donate your old USB drive or they will just take it off your hands for free. If you’re looking to donate it, then several charities can be reached through the internet.
Are USB drives obsolete?
Well, considering the rise of cloud storage and online applications, it’s safe to say that USB drives are no longer used as often.
They still come in handy for some people because internet access is not always available everywhere and computers may not be available at all times.
So, you can say that yes, USB drives are obsolete; but only for a few people.
